GRAND RAPIDS, MI – All those holiday shopping trips aren’t just burning a hole in your wallet. They are burning calories, too.

And this year, shoppers are expected to burn 12 percent more calories as they check off names on their gift list, says the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

Using the 2012 holiday shopping calorie burn rate, wellness experts estimate an average of 840 calories will be burned during a typical three-hour shopping stint. That’s about enough to offset 8 ounces of prime rib and a slice of apple pie.

In 2011, a similar trip worked off about 750 calories. In 2010, it was 735.

“We attribute the 12 percent increase to the fact that people are shopping in more locations and standing in lines longer to get door-buster sales, due to the economy,” said Megan Rich, health and wellness director for the YMCA.

In the future, as more purchases are made online, the average calorie burn is expected to go down, Rich added.

The estimate is based on several factors:

• From where you park the car to entering the store(s) – average 40 yards one way
• Shopping at three separate stores
• Time shopping in the store or mall – three hours
• Carrying an average of 7 pounds for a minimum of one hour while shopping
• Standing in line waiting for the doors to open or at checkout – 30 minutes each store
• Carrying packages back to the car and into your residence – 20 stairs

The YMCA notes the results will vary for individuals, based on their weight. Here are some examples of calories burned based on weight: